Adaptive user interface for multi-source systems

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling configuration display screens within a client-host multi-source system, including transferring look &amp; feel parameters from a host device to a client device, setting parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look &amp; feel parameters transferred by the transferring, generating, by the configuration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic image conforming to the look &amp; feel parameters, and displaying the graphic image on a display screen of the host device. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/933,780, entitled ADAPTIVE USER INTERFACE FOR MULTI-SOURCE SYSTEMS,filed on Jun. 8, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov and YaronSegalov.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is electronic devices that arecoupled together in a multi-source system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A standalone device (SAD) is generally fully operative by itself, andcan be selectively configured by a user. The SAD may or may not have itsown user interface for setting its configuration. When the SAD does nothave its own user interface, an external host, such as a PC computer, isused to configure the SAD. Selection of a configuration generallyaffects functionality of the SAD, since different configurationscorrespond to different features.

For systems that include combinations of two or more inter-connectedSADs, setting of their respective configurations is complicated. Suchsystems are common in consumer electronics and include inter alia, anMP3 player connected to a PC, a digital camera connected to a PC, adigital camera connected to a printer, and a router connected to a PC.Generally, when two SADs are inter-connected, either:

-   -   i. each SAD is self-configured, and the two SADs merely exchange        data; or    -   ii. one of the SAD's is defined as a host and the other SAD is        defined as a client.

Conventional client-host systems of inter-connected SADs use one of twomethods for configuration; namely, a “driver method” and a “screenmethod”.

The driver method is used in cases where a user runs an application thatcontrols the client behavior from a PC host, such as an MP3 playerconnected to a PC computer. According to the driver method, the host SADis loaded at the time of connecting the host with the client, orpre-loaded beforehand, with a software stack referred to as a “driver”.The driver instructs the host how to send commands to the client.Drivers may be implemented at different software levels, from low leveloperating system (OS) drivers to application level drivers with userinterfaces. A host SAD loaded with a driver is able to control theclient SAD, and to configure operations of the client SAD using acommunication channel between the host and the client.

Drivers are generally customized for specific operating systems, but arenot customized for specific client device original equipmentmanufacturers (OEMs).

The screen method is used in cases where a user browses a configurationscreen at a designated IP address, such as a router or a printerconnected to a PC computer. According to the screen method, the host SADdisplays a graphics screen that includes information transferred fromthe client SAD. The host itself is unaware of the content displayed onits screen to the user, or of the actions performed by the user. Thescreen method generally uses internal browsers that are installed inhost SADs, and obviates the need for OEMs to develop their own dedicatedOS drivers.

For a given client SAD, the same configuration screen is displayed forany host SAD connected therewith, since the screen corresponds to theclient SAD, which not need be aware of the specific host that is beingused to configure it.

Both the driver method and the screen method are client-specific and, assuch, are unable to provide a uniform “look & feel” for a user. A look &feel refers to visual elements that are presented in a user interface,and include inter alia font, background color, menu design, position andshape of buttons and other controls, and arrangement of various options.As a result of this drawback, the user experiences different interfaceswhen he switches from a host configuration screen to a clientconfiguration screen.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention overcome drawbacks of conventionalmulti-source systems, and provide methods and systems forinter-connecting two or more SADs that communicate with one another, insuch a way as to maintain a unified user interface look & feel. Usingthe present invention, a user experiences the same-looking interfacewhen he switches from a host configuration screen to a clientconfiguration screen. Both screens have the same look & feel, and aclient SAD appears transparent to the user and does not appear as aforeign device.

Using the present invention, a client SAD is aware of the specific hostSAD connected thereto, and adapts its screen graphics to the host's userinterface. As such, the same user interface displays both host andclient configurations and a unified look & feel is maintained.

The present invention is of particular advantage with multi-sourcesystems where a client SAD is connected to one of multiple host SAD's.Methods of the present invention ensure that the user experiences ahomogenous look & feel in each host SAD source, when he navigates fromthe host configuration screen to the client configuration screen.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems foron-line configuration of controlled software, which flexibly support aclient connected to one of multiple hosts yet retain the sameoperational control over the client, and which adapt the look & feel soas to integrate the client control software in the host softwareenvironment in a homogeneous way. A host SAD is used to configure themulti-source system, and the host user interface is maintained as afixed point of reference for the user. Adaptation to the host userinterface is carried out in each client SAD.

The present invention is advantageous for a network of auxiliary displaydevices connected to a computer. The present invention introduces abridge device that displays information on the bridge device screenaccording to the look & feel of auxiliary display devices connectedthereto. As such, the present invention enhances the SideShow™architecture of Microsoft, by enabling a bridge device to display aplurality of display device's information, and by enabling one displaydevice to display another display device's information, with the look &feel of the other display device.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a method for controlling configuration display screens withina client-host multi-source system, including transferring look & feelparameters from a host device to a client device, setting parameters ofa configuration program for the client device, according to the look &feel parameters transferred by the transferring, generating, by theconfiguration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic imageconforming to the look & feel parameters, and displaying the graphicimage on a display screen of the host device.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a computer-readable storage medium storing programcode for causing an electronic device to transfer look & feel parametersfrom a host device to a client device, to set parameters of aconfiguration program for the client device, according to the look &feel parameters that were transferred, to generate, by the configurationprogram, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic image conforming tothe look & feel parameters, and to display the graphic image on adisplay screen of the host device.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a multi-source client-host system that maintains auniform look & feel user interface, including a host device including acentral processing unit, a storage memory for storing look & feelparameters for a graphical user interface, the graphical user interfaceemploying a plurality of graphic images for user interaction, a displayfor displaying the graphic images employed by the graphical userinterface, and a connector for transmitting the look & feel parametersto a client device, and for receiving at least one of the graphic imagesfrom the client device, when the client device is attached to the hostdevice, a client device that can be attached to and detached from thehost device, including a central processing unit, a configurationprogram for generating at least one of the graphic images employed bythe graphical user interface, the at least one of the graphic imagesconforming to the look & feel parameters, and a connector, fortransmitting the at least one of the graphical images to the hostdevice, and for receiving the look & feel parameters from the hostdevice, when the client device is attached to the host device, and acommunication channel between the host transceiver and the clienttransceiver, for data transmission.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for controlling configuration display screenswithin a client-host multi-source system, including transferring look &feel parameters from a host device to a client device, settingparameters of a configuration program for the client device, accordingto the look & feel parameters transferred by the transferring,generating, by the configuration program, a web page located at adesignated URL, the web page conforming to the look & feel parameters,and browsing the designated URL, by a web browser in the host device.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a computer-readable storage medium storing programcode for causing an electronic device to transfer look & feel parametersfrom a host device to a client device, to set parameters of aconfiguration program for the client device, according to the look &feel parameters that were transferred, to generate, by the configurationprogram, a web page located at a designated URL, the web page conformingto the look & feel parameters, and to browse the designated URL, by aweb browser in the host device.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a multi-source client-host system that maintains auniform look & feel user interface, including a host device including acentral processing unit, a storage memory for storing look & feelparameters for a graphical user interface, the graphical user interfaceemploying a plurality of web pages for user interaction, a web browserfor browsing and rendering the web pages employed by the graphical userinterface, and a connector for transmitting the look & feel parametersto a client device, when the client device is attached to the hostdevice, a client device that can be attached to and detached from thehost device, including a central processing unit, a configurationprogram for generating at least one of the web pages employed by thegraphical user interface, the at least one of the web pages conformingto the look & feel parameters, and a connector for receiving the look &feel parameters from the host device, when the client device is attachedto the host device, and a communication channel between the hosttransmitter and the client receiver, for data transmission.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for controlling configuration display screenswithin a client-host multi-source system, including transferring aclient configuration program from a client device to a host device,setting parameters of the transferred client configuration programaccording to look & feel parameters of the host device, generating, bythe host device via the client configuration program, a graphic image ofa client configuration screen, the graphic image conforming to the hostlook & feel parameters, and displaying the graphic image on a displayscreen of the host device.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a computer-readable storage medium storing programcode for causing an electronic device to transfer a client configurationprogram from a client device to a host device, to set parameters of thetransferred client configuration program according to look & feelparameters of the host device, to generate, by the host device via theclient configuration program, a graphic image of a client configurationscreen, the graphic image conforming to the host look & feel parameters,and to display the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention an electronic device with extended applicationfunctionality, including circuitry for device hardware, for accessingand controlling hardware functions, circuitry for at least oneapplication, a connector for coupling with another hardware device, theother device having circuitry for device hardware, for accessing andcontrolling hardware functions, and a coupled device control module forenabling the at least one application to identify, access and controlthe hardware functions on the other device, when the other device isconnected to the connector.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a bridge system for auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer, including a computer running a plurality ofmini-programs, each mini-program sending information of a specificnature from the computer to a corresponding auxiliary display device,for presentation to a user, a plurality of auxiliary display devices,each auxiliary display device including an auxiliary screen and eachauxiliary display device having look & feel display parameters, forreceiving information from the corresponding plurality of mini-programs,and for displaying the received information on said auxiliary screensaccording to the corresponding look & feel parameters, and at least onebridge device coupled to the computer, each bridge device coupled to atleast one of the auxiliary display devices, each bridge device includinga bridge screen, and each bridge device receiving information from acorresponding at least one of the mini-programs, forwarding the receivedinformation to the at least one of the auxiliary display devices, anddisplaying the received information on the bridge screen according tothe look & feel display parameters of the at least one of the auxiliarydisplay devices.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for managing auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer, including receiving XML information of aspecific nature from a mini-program running on a computer, and receivinglook & feel parameters from an auxiliary display device that displaysinformation in a display format conforming to the look & feelparameters, for presentation to a user, transforming the XML informationto a BMP image conforming to the look & feel parameters of the auxiliarydisplay device, transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary displaydevice for presentation to the user, receiving an indication of anaction performed by the user on the auxiliary display device in responseto viewing the BMP image, generating a second BMP image based on thereceived indication, conforming to the look & feel parameters of theauxiliary display device, and further transmitting the second BMP imageto the auxiliary display device for further presentation to the user.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for managing auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer, including receiving XML information of aspecific nature from a mini-program running on a computer, and receivinglook & feel parameters from an auxiliary display device that displaysinformation in a display format conforming to the look & feelparameters, for presentation to a user, transforming the XML informationto a BMP image conforming to the look & feel parameters of the auxiliarydisplay device, transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary displaydevice for presentation to the user, receiving additional XMLinformation from the mini-program, generating a second BMP image basedon the additional XML information, conforming to the look & feelparameters of the auxiliary display device, and further transmitting thesecond BMP image to the auxiliary display device for furtherpresentation to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are displays ofvarious configuration screens for a host SAD and a client SAD connectedtogether within a multi-source system, wherein the host and clientscreens are controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a multi-source system with auniform interface for configuring a host and a client, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are simplified flowcharts of three embodiments of amethod for controlling a configuration interface for a client SAD so asto conform to the look & feel of a configuration interface for a hostSAD, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of button keys for a multi-source system thathave different key assignments for host mode and client mode, but acommon look & feel user interface for setting host and clientconfiguration parameters, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a system for extendingapplication functionality in modular and coupled hardware devices, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a prior art block diagram of auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer;

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of auxiliary display devices andbridge devices connected to a computer, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a simplified flow chart of a method for generating a displayon a bridge device according to look & feel parameters of an auxiliarydisplay device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 11 is a simplified flow chart for a method for a client to controlthe display information sent to it by a host, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to multi-source systems withinter-connected standalone devices (SADs), where one of the SADs servesas a host device, and is used to configure itself and to configure theclient devices in the system. Using embodiments of the presentinvention, the client devices adapt the look & feel of theirconfiguration screens so as to conform to the look & feel of the hostconfiguration screen. The host interface look & feel thereby serves as afixed and familiar point of reference for a user of the multi-sourcesystem.

The look & feel of an interface relates to visual elements that a userexperiences when he interacts with the interface. The look & feelincludes inter alia:

-   -   screen size (pixel width and height);    -   font type, font size, font color and other visual font        characteristics;    -   background color and background pattern (e.g., BMP or JPG image,        or multiple images for animation);    -   menu type (e.g., scroll with items selected marked by highlight        or zoom);    -   transitional entry effects (e.g., flip, zoom);    -   screen and button topology (e.g., location of specific buttons        on the screen, such as the X button at the top-right corner of a        window for closing the window);    -   menu topology (e.g., location of items in a specific menu); and    -   screen template (e.g., usage and position of general progress        keys, such as Next, Back, Cancel and Enter).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, look & feelparameters may be defined in an XML document. Such an XML document may,for example, take the form provided below.

Sample XML document with look & feel parameters <definitions> <screen><size=800*600> <touch=yes> <layout=portrait> <color quality=32 bit> . .. </screen> <background> <color = black> <pattern = none> . . .</background> <fonts> <font1> <color=yellow> <size=16> <type=bolditalic> . . . </font1> <font2> <color=blue> <size=12> <type=regular> . .. </font2> . . . </fonts> . . . <buttons> <button1> <location=bottomleft> <icon=“left_arrow.jpg”> </button1> <button2> <location=bottomright> <icon=“right_arrow.jpg”> </button2> </buttons> . . .</definitions>

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIGS. 3Aand 3B, which are displays of various configuration screens for a hostSAD and a client SAD connected together within a multi-source system,wherein the host and client screens are controlled so as to have thesame look & feel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The host shown in FIG. 1A is a media player, such as an MP3player, and the client shown in FIG. 1B is a cell phone. Shown in FIG.1A is a sample interface for the host. The screen shown in FIG. 1Acorresponds to the host configuration screen, before the client isconnected to the host, and the screen shown in FIG. 1B corresponds tothe client configuration screen, after the client is connected to thehost. It is noted that both screens have the same look & feel.Specifically, when the client SAD is attached to the host SAD, the fontsize, type and color remain the same, and the screen size and backgroundcolor remain the same.

In addition, the screen template is preserved for two “soft-keys” 110and 120 and a bar 130 above them that includes their correspondingfunction names. Soft keys are multi-function keys that use part of adisplay to identify their function at any moment. Soft-keys aregenerally located directly below the display. In FIG. 1A soft keys 110and 120 correspond respectively to Vol. Up and Vol. Down functions, asindicated by bar 130; and in FIG. 1B soft keys 110 and 120 correspondrespectively to Call and End functions, respectively, as indicated bybar 130.

The host shown in FIG. 2A is a digital camera, and the client shown inFIG. 2B is another electronic device. Shown in FIG. 2A is a sampleinterface for the host. Again, in accordance with the present invention,the look & feel of FIG. 2B (client configuration) is the same as that ofFIG. 2A (host configuration). As may be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, thelook & feel of the configuration interface includes a left panel 210 aright panel 220. The left panel 210 is created by the host. When theclient is attached to the host, the left panel may be altered by thehost. Thus in FIG. 2B the left panel includes a control element 230 inthe shape of a star, for toggling between host mode and client mode.

The right panel 220 is controlled by the host when the host mode isrunning, and controlled by the client when the client mode is running.In either case, the content displayed in the right panel conforms to thelook & feel parameters for the host. The “look” parameters of the rightpanel, including inter alia the dimensions of the right panel, itsbackground color, its font type, size and color, and its menu header andlocation, are the same in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Similarly, the “feel”parameters of the right panel, including inter alia assignment of clientoptions 1, 2 and 3 to corresponding host buttons and the jog dialoptions, are also the same in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The host shown in FIG. 3A is a GPS navigator, and the client shown inFIG. 3B is another electronic device. Shown in FIG. 3A is a sampleinterface for the host. Again, in accordance with the present invention,the look & feel of FIG. 3B (client configuration) is the same as that ofFIG. 3A (host configuration). For example, it is noted that the “X”remains in the top right corner when the client is attached to the host.

More generally, reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplifiedblock diagram of a multi-source system with a uniform interface forconfiguring a host and a client, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Shown in FIG. 4 is a host SAD 400, which includes acontroller 410, a display 420 and an optional power management subsystem430. Host SAD 400 has its own look & feel parameters 440 stored therein.In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, some or allof the following files and data are stored with look & feel parameters440:

-   -   font files—including inter alia information about supported        fonts;    -   text strings—including inter alia text displayed for the soft        keys;    -   resources—including inter alia bitmaps and ring tones;    -   layouts—including inter alia buttons and appearance of screens;    -   settings—including inter alia wallpaper, ringtones, default        “look & Feel” and browsing effects;    -   key mappings—mappings of all valid key-presses, including        mappings of key-press combinations, so that a key press, a        shift-key press and a control-key press are assigned different        codes; e.g., “A”, “a”, Shift+“A”, Ctrl+“A” are assigned        different codes;    -   audio settings—including inter alia available devices (speaker,        microphone), and maximum volume per device;    -   display—screen size (width, height), driver and orientation; and    -   backlight—which LEDs to light up for the keyboard and which LEDs        to light up for the display, and light intensity.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is a client SAD 450. Client SAD includes acontroller 460, an optional display 470 and an optional power managementsubsystem 480. Client SAD also includes a configuration program 490,which enables a user to select configuration settings for client SAD450.

Host SAD 400 and client SAD 450 communicate via respective connectors405 and 455 over a communication channel 415. Communication channel 415may be a physical or a wireless channel. Host look & feel parameters 440are transmitted by connector 405 over communication channel 415, andreceived by connector 455. In turn, the look & feel parameters aretransmitted to configuration program 490.

Configuration program 490 has a default screen look & feel. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, configurationprogram 490 adapts its look & feel accordingly, so as to conform to look& feel parameters 440 of host SAD 400. Configuration program 490generates a graphics screen image that conforms to look & feelparameters 440. The graphics screen image is transmitted to connector455, which transmits it further to connector 405 over communicationchannel 415. The graphics image is then transmitted to host display 420,for display to a user.

As the user interacts with the displayed graphics image and issuessuccessive commands, the commands are transmitted via communicationchannel 415 back to configuration program 490, which generatessuccessive graphics screen images in response to the user commands. Thesuccessive graphics screen images, based again on look & feel parameters440, are transmitted to display 420 for further display to the user.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5A, which is a simplified flowchart of afirst embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor a client SAD so as to conform to the look & feel of a configurationinterface for a host SAD, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 5A is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including the host SAD and the clientSAD. The middle column indicates steps performed by the host SAD, andthe rightmost column indicates steps performed by the client SAD.

At step 503 the client device is attached to the host device. At step506 the host transfers its own look & feel parameters to the client. Asdescribed hereinabove, the host look & feel parameters may be specifiedin an XML document. The host may also transfer requisite font files, forfonts specified in the look & feel parameters.

At step 509 the client adapts the look & feel of its configurationprogram according to the host look & feel parameters. At step 512 theclient configuration program generates a configuration screen, in theform of a bitmap image, that conforms to the look & feel of the hostconfiguration screen.

At step 515 the host receives the bitmap image of the configurationscreen from the client, and at step 518 the host displays the bitmapimage, which conforms to the host look & feel. As such, the userinterface displayed by the host preserves a unified look & feel, evenwhen being used to configure the client.

It may thus be appreciated that the host displays its own configurationoptions and the client configuration options on the same screen, andwith a common look & feel. The host may display both configurations atthe same time, or may switch between host options and client options,but in each case the same visual user interface is presented to theuser.

At step 521 the user interacts with the system and performs an action,the response to which may require a change in the display screen. Atstep 524 the host sends the client a notification of the user action.The notification sent by the client is generally an indication of a keypress by the user. For example, the host may have a 4×4 keypad matrix,and sends the client a notification of which of the 16 keys was pressedby the user.

At step 527 the client configuration program translates the user actionnotification into a command, based on an appropriate key assignmenttable, and generates a new bitmap image for a configuration screen, inresponse to the command, as appropriate. At step 530 the host receivesthe new configuration screen, in the form of the new bitmap image, fromthe client. Finally, at step 533 the host displays the altered screen,which again conforms to the look & feel of the host. The method thenreturns to step 521, as the user continues to interact with the system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5B, which is a simplified flowchart of asecond embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor a client SAD so as to conform to the look & feel of a configurationinterface for a host SAD, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 5B is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including the host SAD and the clientSAD. The middle column indicates steps performed by the host SAD, andthe rightmost column indicates steps performed by the client SAD. Themethod of FIG. 5B uses a web interface for a user to configure theclient device.

At step 536 the client device is attached to the host device. At step539 the host device transfers is look & feel parameters to the clientdevice. The host may also transfer requisite font files, for fontsspecified in the look & feel parameters. At step 542 the clientconfiguration program sets its parameters according to the host look &feel parameters.

At step 545 the client configuration program generates a web page, whichconforms to the host look & feel parameters. At step 548 the clientdevice uploads the web page to a URL on a web server. At step 551 thehost, using a web browser installed therein, browses the URL and rendersand displays the web page.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in this second embodiment host device 400includes a web browser 445, which browses and renders web pages storedin a web server 495. The web pages are generated by configurationprogram 490 so as to comply with host look & feel parameters 440, andare uploaded to web server 495.

Proceeding now with FIG. 5, at step 554 a user who is viewing the webpage displayed at step 551 performs an action. At step 557 the hostsends a notification of the user action to the client. At step 560 theclient translates the user action into a command, and the clientconfiguration program generates a new web page, in response to thecommand, as appropriate. At step 563 the client uploads the web page toa URL on the web server. At step 566 the host browses the URL andrenders and displays the new web page. The method then returns to step554, as the user continues to interact with the system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5C, which is a simplified flowchart of athird embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor a client SAD so as to conform to the look & feel of a configurationinterface for a host SAD, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 5C is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including the host SAD and the clientSAD. The middle column indicates steps performed by the host SAD, andthe rightmost column indicates steps performed by the client SAD.

At step 569 the client device is attached to the host device. At step572 the client transfers its configuration program to the host, thusenabling the host to generate the appropriate user interfaces.

At step 575 the host sets parameters of the client's configurationprogram corresponding to the host look & feel parameters. At step 578the host by itself generates a screen image for client configuration,running the client's configuration program. At step 581 the hostdisplays the screen image.

At step 584 a user who is viewing and interacting with the userinterface issues a command. At step 587 the host generates a new screenimage, in response to the user command, as appropriate, running theclient's configuration program. At step 590 the host displays the newscreen image. The method then returns to step 584, as the user continuesto interact with the system.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the methodsof FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C enable a host SAD in a multi-source system todisplay both host configuration settings and client configurationsettings on the host screen, simultaneously, with a uniform look & feel.As such, a user of the system experiences a homogeneous interface, andit is transparent to the user that two different SADs are operating.

Implementation Details

Generally, key assignments are provided for each host mode of a hostdevice, and for each client mode of a client device. A device may havemultiple modes; e.g., a cell phone may have a dialer mode and amessaging mode. Shown in TABLES IA and IB are example button keyassignments for a host mode and a client mode, respectively, within amulti-source system. TABLES IA and IB correspond to FIGS. 1A and 1B,respectively, where the host is an MP3 player running in media playermode, and the client is a cell phone running in dialer mode. The buttonsof the system are labeled B1-B15, together with a TOUCH button on thetouch screen displayed with a question mark. The buttons have oneassignment of functions in host mode and another assignment of functionsin client mode. Button B8, for example, is assigned a play function inTABLE IA, and is assigned a function to enter the numeral “8” in TABLEIB.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an illustration of button keysfor a multi-source system that have different key assignments for hostmode and client mode, but a common look & feel user interface forsetting host and client configuration parameters, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, buttons B1-B12correspond to the four rows of three buttons on the keypad, in the orderfrom top left to bottom right. Buttons B13 and B14 correspond to thesoft keys 110 and 120 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Button B15 corresponds to thespeaker button.

It is also noted that buttons B4, B6, B13 and B14 have dual functions,corresponding to a short duration press and a long duration press.Key-press and key-release events may be analyzed so as to distinguishbetween long duration and short duration presses.

When running in host mode, the key assignments correspond to mediaplayer key assignments, as in TABLE IA. However, when running in clientmode, the key assignments correspond to conventional cell phone keyassignments, as in TABLE IB. It may be seen from TABLE IA that in hostmode, buttons B5 and B15 are not used, and long button presses are notdistinguished from short presses.

TABLE IA Media Player Key Assignments Screen Function Assigned Key MediaPlay B8 Player Stop B11 Mode Next B9 Prev B7 FWD B12 BKD B10 Record B2Vol. Up B13 Vol. Down B14 Up B1 Down B3 Right B6 Left B4 Help TOUCH

TABLE IB Dialer Key Assignments Screen Function Assigned Key Dialer 0B11 Mode 1 B1 2 B2 3 B3 4 B4 5 B5 6 B6 7 B7 8 B8 9 B9 # B12 * B10 LeftLONG B4 Right LONG B6 Call B13 End B14 Erase LONG B14 Options LONG B13Speaker B15 Help TOUCH

In accordance with the present invention, when the client device is notattached to the host device, or when the client device is attached tothe host device but the multi-source system is running in host mode, thehost key assignments, such as those indicated in TABLE IA, are used.Switching between host mode and client mode may be performed, forexample, using a toggle switch such as control element 230 in FIG. 2B.When the client device is attached to the host device, the client sendsthe host a list of user functions it supports, such as the variousfunctions indicated in TABLE IB. The host then assigns the functions tobuttons, and sends the client the key assignments.

When the client is attached to the host and the multi-source system isrunning in client mode, the graphic image displayed on the host screen,or a portion of the graphic image that is assigned to the client, isgenerated by the client and transmitted to the host for display. Whenthe user presses a button, the button press event is sent to the client,and translated by the client according to the key assignment for thatbutton. If the user presses a touch screen, then the X-Y coordinates ofthe press location are send to the client. In response, the clientgenerates a new graphic image, conforming to the look & feel parametersthat the client received from the host. The new graphic image istransmitted to the host for display, thus completing a cycle of userinput and screen display in response to the input. Generally, severalsuch cycles are performed in an interactive session.

When the key assignments distinguish between short and long durationpresses, as in TABLE IB, the host may do the analysis to make thedistinction and pass the result (long press or short press) to theclient. In an alternative embodiment, the host may send the key-pressand key-release events to the client, and the client then determines thetype of press (long or short) from these events.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to general methods andsystems for enabling a first electronic device, such as client SAD 450(FIG. 4), to identify, access and control functions of a secondelectronic device, such as host SAD 400, that is coupled with the firstelectronic device. In this regard reference is now made to FIG. 7, whichis a simplified block diagram of a system for extending applicationfunctionality in modular and coupled hardware devices, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 7 are twodevices 710 and 720, labeled respectively as Device A and Device B. Eachdevice is an electronic device having device hardware 730 and 740,respectively, that performs various hardware functions. In addition,Device A includes an operating system 750, one or more applications 760and a coupled device control module (CDCM) 770. Device A and Device Bare coupled by a physical connector 780.

CDCM 770 is used as a programming layer that allows applications 760 onDevice A to access information and functionality of hardware 740 onDevice B and to thereby control Device B's functionality and data. Forexample, Device A may be a mobile phone and Device B may be a mediaplayer. CDCM 770 enables applications on the mobile phone to identifyand control hardware features of the media player.

In one embodiment of the present invention, CDCM 770 is implemented as asoftware module extension to a virtual machine (VM). For example, CDCM770 may be implemented as a Java VM functionality extension set, whichcan be described in a Java Specification Request (JSR). CDCM 770 isimplemented as an application programming interface (API) extension tothe VM, which is exposed to applications 760, and which allowsapplications 760 to identify, access and control hardware and softwarefunctions on Device B. Such API enables identification of devicehardware 740, and facilitates data exchange between applications andhardware and software components, irrespective of their locations onDevice A and Device B.

In another embodiment of the present invention, CDCM 770 is implementedas an extension to operating system 750. In yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, CDCM 770 is implemented as a standalone module.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodimentsof the present invention in a broad sense enable a first electronicdevice to access and control a second electronic device coupledtherewith, and to automatically adapt its user interface to becompatible with that of the second device.

Bridges for Connecting Auxiliary Displays to a Computer

The present invention applies to a network of auxiliary display devicesconnected to a PC computer. In this regard, reference is now made toFIG. 8, which is a prior art block diagram of auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer. Shown in FIG. 8 is a computer 810 with an inputdevice 820 such as a keyboard or mouse. Computer 810 is connected tomultiple auxiliary display devices 831-839. Each auxiliary displaydevice is used to display information stored on computer 810, such ase-mail messages, calendar reminders, or such other notifications.Auxiliary display devices 831-839 include inter alia mobile phones, GPSnavigators, remote controls with built-in screens, keyboards withbuilt-in screens, wearable display devices, music players, digitalpicture frames, game stations, home entertainment systems, and suchother consumer electronic (CE) devices.

An auxiliary display device may be embedded within computer 810, such asan in-lid attached laptop display. An auxiliary display device may be aseparate peripheral device connected to computer 810 by a wired orwireless connection, including inter alia USB, Bluetooth, TCP/IP orother such data communication protocols, existing now or to be developedin the future. An auxiliary display device may also be a designated areawithin a main screen of computer 810.

Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., recently introduced itsSideShow™ technology into Windows Vista®, which enables developers towrite mini-applications on computer 810 that send appropriate data fromcomputer 810 to auxiliary display devices 831-839, as required by thedisplay devices. These mini-applications, referred to as “gadgets”,communicate with Windows SideShow application programming interfaces(APIs), and are independent of the software layers below them. Examplesof such gadgets include (i) a calendar gadget that periodicallyretrieves data from a calendar application such as Microsoft Outlook®,and sends the data to an auxiliary display device, (ii) a weather gadgetthat retrieves data from a web service and updates an auxiliary displaydevice with weather information in designated locales, and (iii) aninstant messaging gadget that provides presence information regarding auser's buddies on an auxiliary display device.

Microsoft SideShow requires that auxiliary display devices 831-839 beable to interpret the Simple Content Format (SCF) and, optionally theiCalendar data format. SCF defines a set of XML elements and attributesthat allow content, dialog and menu pages to be sent to auxiliarydevices 831-839. In addition, SCF enables extended custom content typesto be defined.

Auxiliary display devices 831-839 may be powered even when computer 810is in a low-power mode such as standby mode or hibernate mode.

Auxiliary display devices 831-839 behave as client devices, whichreceive their data from their corresponding gadgets running on computer810, which behaves as a host. This is indicated in FIG. 8 by referringto display devices 831-839 as client #1-client #9, respectively, and byreferring to computer 810 as host computer. The designation of a deviceas host or client in FIG. 8 relates to the display of information. Ahost device sends display information to a client device, which theclient device displays on its screen. Display devices 831-839 do notmanipulate data that they display, and such data remains within theauxiliary display devices and is not transmitted elsewhere. Moreover, ifan auxiliary display device has an internal application, then suchapplication is not shared with other devices. As such, display devices831-839 are dumb terminals.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified block diagram ofauxiliary display devices and bridge devices connected to a computer, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 9is a computer 910 with an input device 920 such as a keyboard or mouse,and auxiliary display devices 931-939. FIG. 9 also includes two devices941 and 942, referred to as bridges, with respective input devices 951and 952. Bridges 941 and 942 are connected directly to computer 910 andconnected directly to one another. Auxiliary display devices arearranged so that devices 931-933 are connected to bridge 941, device934-936 are connected to bridge 942, and devices 937-939 are connecteddirectly to computer 910.

Bridges own two types of gadgets; namely, (i) gadgets generated fromtheir own internal running applications, and (ii) gadgets inherited fromother devices. For example, bridge 941 owns its own gadgets, as well asgadgets inherited from host computer 910 and from bridge 942. Auxiliarydisplay devices generally do not own gadgets, and can only displayinformation from gadgets that are presented to them.

Bridge devices 941 and 942 combine capabilities of host computer 910 andclient devices 931-939. As clients, bridge devices 941 and 942 receivedisplay information from other devices and present the displayinformation on their own screens. As hosts, bridge devices 941 and 942act as source of display information for display on client devicescreens. For example, bridge 941 may receive display information fromcomputer 910 or from clients 942 and 943 and display such information onits own screen; and conversely, bridge 941 may transmit displayinformation to computer 910 or to clients 942 and 943 for display ontheir screens. Display information transmitted by bridge 941 may begenerated by bridge 941 be internal applications running on device 941,or may be information received from other devices. Moreover, bridge 941can combine display information that is generates from its internalapplications with display information that it receives from remotedevices, the latter referred to as “inherited notifications”, so as tocreate single display information for devices that connect to bridge941.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, computer 910connects to bridges 941 and 942 via wireless links. Although displayinformation is rendered as a bitmap image, it is cumbersome to transmitbitmap images over wireless links, due to their large sizes. Instead,computer 910 transmits display information to bridges 941 and 942 in acompressed XML format. Auxiliary display devices 931-939 generally havelimited CPU power and limited software resources, and may only supportsimpler data, such as BMP image data. In such cases, bridges 941 and 9transform the display information they receive in compressed XML formatto a BMP format, for forwarding to display devices 931-939.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, suchtransformation uses look & feel parameters appropriate to eachcorresponding display device, as described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 5A-5C. The XML→BMP transformation performed by bridges 941 and 942uses configuration information provided by each corresponding targetdisplay device, such as the sample XML document described hereinabove,in transforming the compressed XML data to a BMP image for the targetdisplay device.

Bridges 941 and 942 may split their displays to include both displayinformation provided by computer 910, as well as display informationgenerated from internal applications running on bridges 941 and 942.

It is noted that the architecture of FIG. 9 enables clients 931-939 todisplay gadget information that does not originate from host computer910. As such preferably each bridge device maintains an assignment tablethat holds data defining which devices owns which gadget and whichclient performs an operation that requires a change of display. Generalnotifications, such as a new e-mail message transmitted by an e-mailgadget, are distributed to all clients 931-939 that use this e-mailgadget. TABLE II is a sample assignment table maintained by bridgedevice 941.

TABLE II Sample Assignment Table Maintained by Bridge #1 Gadget OwnerNotifications for Change of Display E-mail Client #1 Client #2, Client#3 Calendar Client #2 Client #1 Weather Client #3

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a simplified flow chart of amethod for generating a display on a bridge device according to look &feel parameters of an auxiliary display device, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. At step 1010 a user connects abridge, such as bridge 941, to an auxiliary display device, such asclient 931, and to a PC computer, such as computer 910. At step 1020 thebridge receives look & feel configuration parameters from client 931,and XML display information from the gadget installed on computer 910for device 931.

At step 1030 the bridge transforms the XML display information alongwith display information generated by applications internal to thebridge, to generate a BMP image for display on the client device,wherein the BMP image conforms to the client device's look & feelparameters. At step 1040 the client device displays the BMP imagereceived from the bridge on its client screen. At step 1050 the userinteracts with the client device and performs an action that requires achange in display. Alternatively, at step 1050 a notification isreceived from the gadget for device 931. In either case, the methodproceeds to step 1030 where the bridge generates a new BMP accordingly,as appropriate. Thus the cycle of user interaction/new notifications ←→new BMP image continues.

Referring back to the prior art block diagram of FIG. 8, it is notedthat control over which display information is targeted to which client831-839 is controlled by computer 810. Computer 810 acts as a “crossbarswitch”, routing gadget data to devices. A user of computer 810configures the exact display information that is presented to each ofthe connected auxiliary display devices 831-839.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, control oversuch display configuration is extended. Referring now to FIG. 9, eachhost device in FIG. 9 may define which gadgets it wishes to expose todevices connected to it. The host device further designates whether eachconnected device either (i) has permission to further export the gadgetdisplay information to devices that are connected to it, or else (ii) islimited to displaying the gadget display information only on its owndisplay. Such an extended display configuration is set up using autility presented to the user referred to herein as a gadgetconfiguration utility, or as a “gadget configuration gadget”.

A bridge device, such as bridge 941 is a host and, as such has its owngadget configuration utility. The bridge presents the user with bridgeinternal applications that generate display information, and gadgetsprovided by hosts connected to the bridge, for those gadgets for whichthe bridge is permitted to forward their display information. Thusbridge 941, for example, presents the user with its internalapplications that generate display information, and with those gadgetsfor host 910 and bridge 942, for which host 910 and bridge 942 arepermitted to forward the gadget's display information to bridge 941.

A client, such as auxiliary display device 931, is not responsible forconfiguring gadgets. However, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, a host may define its own configuration utility as agadget, which in turn enables the client to control the displayinformation sent to it by the host. In this regard, reference is nowmade to FIG. 11, which is a simplified flow chart for a method for aclient to control the display information sent to it by a host, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1110 ahost device arranges its self-owned (internal) gadgets and its inherited(external) gadgets into a gadget configuration gadget. At step 1120 thehost device's gadget configuration gadget is sent to client auxiliarydisplays. At step 1130 a user of the client selects desired gadgets in aconfiguration display window. At step 1140 the user's selections aresent to the host, which alters its data content accordingly, and sendsrequested notifications to the client.

For example, referring to FIG. 9, at step 1120 auxiliary display devices934-936 display gadgets on host computer 910, on bridge 941 and onbridge 942, via bridge 942; and at step 1130 the user can select some orall of these gadgets.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that byimplementing auxiliary display devices as bridges, display informationmay be shared between the display devices. In distinction, clientdevices in prior art architectures behave as passive isolated displays.For example, using the present invention, if client 931 is a GPS device,client 932 is an audio player, and client 933 is a mobile phone, and ifthese clients are implemented as bridges connected to one another, theneach client device 931, 932 and 933 is able to review the other clients'displays.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to thespecific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method for controlling configuration display screens within aclient-host multi-source system, comprising: transferring look & feelparameters from a host device to a client device; setting parameters ofa configuration program for the client device, according to the look &feel parameters transferred by said transferring; generating, by theconfiguration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic imageconforming to the look & feel parameters; and displaying the graphicimage on a display screen of the host device.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: receiving, by the host device, a user command from auser who is viewing the display of the host device; sending anidentifier for the user command to the client device; furthergenerating, by the configuration program, a graphic image for an alteredscreen, the graphic image conforming to the look & feel parameters, inresponse to the user command; further displaying the bitmap image of thealtered screen on the display of the host device.
 3. The method of claim2 wherein said receiving, sending, further generating and furtherdisplaying are interactively performed multiple times.
 4. The method ofclaim 2 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving a keypress event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device,the method further comprising: sending a list of functions supported bythe client device, to the host device; assigning keys of the host deviceto functions supported by the client device; and identifying thefunction assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.
 5. The methodof claim 2 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving akey press event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the hostdevice, wherein said sending an identifier for the user commandcomprises sending an identifier for a function supported by the clientdevice, and wherein the method further comprises: sending a list of keysof the host device, to the client device; assigning keys of the hostdevice to functions supported by the client device; and identifying thefunction assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.
 6. Acomputer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing anelectronic device: to transfer look & feel parameters from a host deviceto a client device; to set parameters of a configuration program for theclient device, according to the look & feel parameters that weretransferred; to generate, by the configuration program, a graphic imageof a screen, the graphic image conforming to the look & feel parameters;and to display the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.7. A multi-source client-host system that maintains a uniform look &feel user interface, comprising: a host device comprising: a centralprocessing unit; a storage memory for storing look & feel parameters fora graphical user interface, the graphical user interface employing aplurality of graphic images for user interaction; a display fordisplaying the graphic images employed by the graphical user interface;and a connector for transmitting the look & feel parameters to a clientdevice, and for receiving at least one of the graphic images from saidclient device, when said client device is attached to said host device;a client device that can be attached to and detached from said hostdevice, comprising: a central processing unit; a configuration programfor generating at least one of the graphic images employed by thegraphical user interface, the at least one of the graphic imagesconforming to the look & feel parameters; and a connector, fortransmitting the at least one of the graphical images to said hostdevice, and for receiving the look & feel parameters from said hostdevice, when said client device is attached to said host device; and acommunication channel between said host transceiver and said clienttransceiver, for data transmission.
 8. The multi-source client-hostsystem of claim 7 wherein said communication channel is a wired channel.9. The multi-source client-host system of claim 7 wherein saidcommunication channel is a wireless channel.
 10. The multi-sourceclient-host system of claim 7 wherein said host device further comprisesa control element that an enables a user to switch between a host modeof operation and a client mode of operation, when said client device isattached to said host device.
 11. The multi-source client-host system ofclaim 7 wherein said host connector also transmits user commands to saidclient connector and said client connector receives the user commands,and wherein said configuration program generates graphic images inresponse to the user commands.
 12. The multi-source client-host systemof claim 11 wherein said host device comprises a plurality of keys thatmay be pressed by a user, wherein keys are assigned user commandssupported by the client device when said client device is attached tosaid host device.
 13. A method for controlling configuration displayscreens within a client-host multi-source system, comprising:transferring look & feel parameters from a host device to a clientdevice; setting parameters of a configuration program for the clientdevice, according to the look & feel parameters transferred by saidtransferring; generating, by the configuration program, a web pagelocated at a designated URL, the web page conforming to the look & feelparameters; and browsing the designated URL, by a web browser in thehost device.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: receiving,by the host device, a user command from a user who is viewing thedisplay of the host device; sending an identifier for the user commandto the client device; further generating, by the configuration program,another web page located at another designated URL, the other web pageconforming to the look & feel parameters, in response to the usercommand; further browsing the other designated URL, by the web browserin the host device.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said receiving,sending, further generating and further browsing are interactivelyperformed multiple times.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein saidreceiving a user command comprises receiving a key press event triggeredby a user who pressed a key of the host device, the method furthercomprising: sending a list of functions supported by the client device,to the host device; assigning keys of the host device to functionssupported by the client device; and identifying the function assigned tothe key that was pressed by the user.
 17. The method of claim 14 whereinsaid receiving a user command comprises receiving a key press eventtriggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device, wherein saidsending an identifier for the user command comprises sending anidentifier for a function supported by the client device, and whereinthe method further comprises: sending a list of keys of the host device,to the client device; assigning keys of the host device to functionssupported by the client device; and identifying the function assigned tothe key that was pressed by the user.
 18. A computer-readable storagemedium storing program code for causing an electronic device: totransfer look & feel parameters from a host device to a client device;to set parameters of a configuration program for the client device,according to the look & feel parameters that were transferred; togenerate, by the configuration program, a web page located at adesignated URL, the web page conforming to the look & feel parameters;and to browse the designated URL, by a web browser in the host device.19. A multi-source client-host system that maintains a uniform look &feel user interface, comprising: a host device comprising: a centralprocessing unit; a storage memory for storing look & feel parameters fora graphical user interface, the graphical user interface employing aplurality of web pages for user interaction; a web browser for browsingand rendering the web pages employed by the graphical user interface;and a connector for transmitting the look & feel parameters to a clientdevice, when said client device is attached to said host device; aclient device that can be attached to and detached from said hostdevice, comprising: a central processing unit; a configuration programfor generating at least one of the web pages employed by the graphicaluser interface, the at least one of the web pages conforming to the look& feel parameters; and a connector for receiving the look & feelparameters from said host device, when said client device is attached tosaid host device; and a communication channel between said hosttransmitter and said client receiver, for data transmission.
 20. Themulti-source client-host system of claim 19 further comprising a webserver for hosting the web pages generated by said configurationprogram, wherein said client device further comprises an uploader foruploading the web pages generated by said configuration program to saidweb server, and wherein said host web browser browses said web server.21. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein saidcommunication channel is a wired channel.
 22. The multi-sourceclient-host system of claim 19 wherein said communication channel is awireless channel.
 23. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19wherein said host device further comprises a control element that anenables a user to switch between a host mode of operation and a clientmode of operation, when said client device is attached to said hostdevice.
 24. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein saidhost connector also transmits user commands to said client connector andsaid client connector receives the user commands, and wherein saidconfiguration program generates web pages in response to the usercommands.
 25. The multi-source client-host system of claim 24 whereinsaid host device comprises a plurality of keys that may be pressed by auser, wherein keys are assigned user commands supported by the clientdevice when said client device is attached to said host device.
 26. Amethod for controlling configuration display screens within aclient-host multi-source system, comprising: transferring a clientconfiguration program from a client device to a host device; settingparameters of the transferred client configuration program according tolook & feel parameters of the host device; generating, by the hostdevice via the client configuration program, a graphic image of a clientconfiguration screen, the graphic image conforming to the host look &feel parameters; and displaying the graphic image on a display screen ofthe host device.
 27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:receiving, by the host device, a user command from a user who is viewingthe display of the host device; further generating, by the host devicevia the client configuration program, a graphic image for an alteredscreen, the graphic image conforming to the host look & feel parameters,in response to the user command; further displaying the bitmap image ofthe altered screen on the display of the host device.
 28. Acomputer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing anelectronic device: to transfer a client configuration program from aclient device to a host device; to set parameters of the transferredclient configuration program according to look & feel parameters of thehost device; to generate, by the host device via the clientconfiguration program, a graphic image of a client configuration screen,the graphic image conforming to the host look & feel parameters; and todisplay the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.
 29. Anelectronic device with extended application functionality, comprising:circuitry for device hardware, for accessing and controlling hardwarefunctions; circuitry for at least one application; a connector forcoupling with another hardware device, the other device having circuitryfor device hardware, for accessing and controlling hardware functions;and a coupled device control module for enabling the at least oneapplication to identify, access and control the hardware functions onthe other device, when the other device is connected to said connector.30. The electronic device of claim 29 wherein the at least oneapplication operates in a virtual machine (VM) environment, and whereinsaid coupled device control module is an extension to the virtualmachine and has an added set of application programming interface (API)functions.
 31. The electronic device of claim 30 wherein the virtualmachine environment is a Java VM environment.
 32. The electronic deviceof claim 29 further comprising circuitry for an operating system, andwherein said coupled device control module is an extension to theoperating system.
 33. The electronic device of claim 29 wherein saidcoupled device control module is a standalone module.
 34. A bridgesystem for auxiliary display devices connected to a computer,comprising: a computer running a plurality of mini-programs, eachmini-program sending information of a specific nature from the computerto a corresponding auxiliary display device, for presentation to a user;a plurality of auxiliary display devices, each auxiliary display devicecomprising an auxiliary screen and each auxiliary display device havinglook & feel display parameters, for receiving information from thecorresponding plurality of mini-programs, and for displaying thereceived information on said auxiliary screens according to thecorresponding look & feel parameters; and at least one bridge devicecoupled to said computer, each bridge device coupled to at least one ofsaid auxiliary display devices, each bridge device comprising a bridgescreen, and each bridge device receiving information from acorresponding at least one of the mini-programs, forwarding the receivedinformation to the at least one of said auxiliary display devices, anddisplaying the received information on said bridge screen according tothe look & feel display parameters of the at least one of said auxiliarydisplay devices.
 35. The bridge system of claim 34 further comprising aconfiguration manager running on said computer, for setting up aconfiguration of which bridges are permitted to display information fromwhich mini-programs.
 36. The bridge system of claim 34 furthercomprising at least one bridge configuration manager running on said atleast one bridge device, each bridge configuration manager specifyingwhich auxiliary display devices connected to the bridge device arepermitted to display information from which mini-programs.
 37. Thebridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary displaydevices includes an e-mail reader.
 38. The bridge system of claim 34wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a calendarscheduler.
 39. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality ofauxiliary display devices includes a GPS navigator.
 40. The bridgesystem of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devicesincludes a weather reporter.
 41. The bridge system of claim 34 whereinsaid plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a homeentertainment system.
 42. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein saidplurality of auxiliary display devices includes a digital picture frame.43. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliarydisplay devices includes a portable music player.
 44. The bridge ofclaim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes acellular telephone.
 45. A method for managing auxiliary display devicesconnected to a computer, comprising: receiving XML information of aspecific nature from a mini-program running on a computer, and receivinglook & feel parameters from an auxiliary display device that displaysinformation in a display format conforming to the look & feelparameters, for presentation to a user; transforming the XML informationto a BMP image conforming to the look & feel parameters of the auxiliarydisplay device; transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary displaydevice for presentation to the user; receiving an indication of anaction performed by the user on the auxiliary display device in responseto viewing the BMP image; generating a second BMP image based on thereceived indication, conforming to the look & feel parameters of theauxiliary display device; and further transmitting the second BMP imageto the auxiliary display device for further presentation to the user.46. A method for managing auxiliary display devices connected to acomputer, comprising: receiving XML information of a specific naturefrom a mini-program running on a computer, and receiving look & feelparameters from an auxiliary display device that displays information ina display format conforming to the look & feel parameters, forpresentation to a user; transforming the XML information to a BMP imageconforming to the look & feel parameters of the auxiliary displaydevice; transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary display device forpresentation to the user; receiving additional XML information from themini-program; generating a second BMP image based on the additional XMLinformation, conforming to the look & feel parameters of the auxiliarydisplay device; and further transmitting the second BMP image to theauxiliary display device for further presentation to the user.
 47. Thebridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specificnature is e-mail information.
 48. The bridge system of claim 46 whereinthe XML information of a specific nature is calendar scheduleinformation.
 49. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XMLinformation of a specific nature is picture information.
 50. The bridgesystem of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature isGPS navigational information.
 51. The bridge system of claim 46 whereinthe XML information of a specific nature is weather information.